Health Rights Clinic

The Health Rights Clinic is a medical legal partnership operated in collaboration with the UM Miller School of Medicine. Students participating in the Health Rights Clinic represent multiple clients in different legal matters related to health. Under the guidance of Director JoNel Newman and Associate Director Melissa Swain, clinic students spend the academic year representing low income patients of the Veteran's Administration, South Florida Aids Network, Jackson Hospital and other medical partners.

Law students function as the client's primary advocate and conduct client intakes/ interviews, conduct legal research, file legal pleadings and legal documents, develop case strategies and theories, and provide representation in administrative hearings and court. Representation is focused on the following priority areas:

Social Security/Public Benefits – Students provide legal services in Social Security and other public benefits cases. Students represent clients obtaining Medicaid and other insurance. Many students file appeals and/or appear in federal administrative court.Advanced Directives – Students draft advance directives such as wills, living wills, health care surrogacy, pre-need guardianships and guardianships.Immigration – Students represent health impaired clients in immigration related matters. Specifically, students file applications and regularly appear before the Department of Homeland Security on behalf of our clients seeking U.S. Citizenship or Legal Permanent Residency.Veterans Benefits – Students supervised by faculty work with doctors, medical residents, social workers and attorneys to advocate for veteran's legal rights in light of medical scenarios. Read More.

National Affiliations, Awards & Recognition

National Center for Medical-Legal Partnership (NCMLP) - NCMLP, a project of the GW University School of Public Health and Public Health Services' Department of Health Policy, has recognized our clinic's medical-legal partnership. Read More.

Access to Justice Clinical Course Project (A2J Clinic Project) - This clinic is one of 6 law school clinics chosen to participate in and create a course kit. Read More.